Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
But the seed in the good ground #– #these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, produce fruit.
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight,
Now as John was completing his mission, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But one is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.”
I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but did so privately to those recognised as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain.
So they were each given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters, who were going to be killed just as they had been.